The cotton industry is rapidly expanding in southern NSW. The purchase of a cotton trial picker will significantly enhance the ability of NSW DPI Plant Systems Branch, and other research organisations, to deliver accurate results from existing cotton research projects in the southern connected systems. There is no other equipment of this type available in southern NSW, and equipment that is available across the broader industry is fully committed with no opportunity to share with the owners of the equipment.

This equipment will allow greater scientific rigour to current research trials and eliminates the risk of compromised experimental results that arise as a result of the current need for hand picking of cotton trials. Hand picking leads to reduced ability to measure treatment impacts and less confidence in research outcomes. The ultimate impact of this is a lower industry confidence in, and adoption of, best management practice identified within research, and reduced potential for farmers to realise productivity and profitability outcomes.